WG4: Bioproducts generation from the sugars platform by non-conventional yeasts

Glucose or sucrose are classical carbon substrates for typical industrial yeast processes. The utilization of alternative low-cost carbon sources is however needed for the successful expansion of industrial biotechnology. The fermentable sugars obtained from renewable raw materials such as cellulosic sugars are therefore attractive alternatives for the production of biofuels and (fine) biochemicals.

Non-conventional yeasts are capable of utilizing a wide range of sugars. Hence, a vast range of bioproducts is expected to be produced by these microorganisms, including the production of enzymes, food-additives, bioplastics, bioethanol, or biodiesel. In addition, new bioproducts arisen from the discovery of new metabolic routes on non-conventional yeasts grown on alternative carbon sources might benefit the energy sector as well as pharmacological, nutritional and chemical industry.

WG4 targets at exploring different alternatives to produce bioproducts (e.g. bioethanol, biodiesel, 2-phenylethanol, flavin coenzyme, weak acids, industrially relevant enzymes, bioplastics, etc.) by non-conventional yeasts from the sugar released from low-cost raw materials (e.g. agri-food residues, lignocellulose). Both naturally occurring and recombinant strains will be taken into account to reach this aim. The production of such bioproducts by different non-conventional yeast will be then compared in terms of yields, productivities, profitability and environmental impact.

In particular, WG4 has the following Tasks:

• Screening of non-conventional yeasts with best properties to perform on the sugar platform molecules.

• Optimization of process conditions to maximize product yields and titers for different bioproducts.

• Collection of research assays which will be planned and potentially executed considering industrial requirements, in order to facilitate the subsequent scale-up of the process.